As Director of Photography, I was involved from the earliest stages of pre-production on this commercial project for Funnellab, directed by MG.
We enlisted the talents of the renowned actor Nick Wilder—well-known for his versatile performances—and focused on creating a fast-paced visual narrative for an online VSL (Video Sales Letter). A RED Helium, mounted on a gimbal, allowed us to capture unique angles and dynamic shots, while large frames served as our main light sources, delivering a polished commercial look with a subtle cinematic edge. Despite operating with a small yet dedicated crew, we covered every aspect of production in a single day, ensuring that both style and efficiency were at the forefront of our creative process.
Client: Funnellab GmbH
Agency: Lichtzug http://www.lichtzug.de
Team:
Director: Martin Gruja
DoP: Stephan Zeller
Edit: Stephan Zeller/Martin Gruja
Set Manager: Carl Phillip Förster
1st AC: Niklas Hemker
Gaffer: Niklas Hemker / Lasse Ohsten
Runner: Moritz Jonas
H&M: makeoverhamburg
Costume: Atelier DreiSieben https://atelierdreisieben.com
Behind the scenes of the Funnellab VSL shoot: We had only one day to bring the entire concept to life. That meant fast-paced execution, precise coordination, and zero room for delays. Every scene had to be lit, staged, and shot within a tight schedule—across multiple locations, changing camera setups, and detailed props.
From the fridge shot to the office scene, every element was prepped in advance. Timing, lighting, performance, and production design all had to work in sync. A high-pressure shoot with no shortcuts—just focused teamwork and clear visual intent.
